Lisa Coupe NZ Equestrian Coaching & Training

Unfamiliar doesn’t necessarily mean wrong.

This is a tricky one and a real confidence/ mindset challenge.
When things aren’t going right, and you’ve identified that we need to make some changes to the current ride- when you’re making changes, things are going to feel strange at first — and that’s okay.
The discomfort isn’t a signal to stop. It’s a signal that something is shifting.

Sometimes there is definitely some hit & miss / trial and error.
There can be a frustrating part in this process. Something’s not working the way you WERE doing it, hence making a change.. but under pressure in the moment it’s too easy to slip back to what feels familiar. SO Common. All been there.

Then it becomes a confidence thing not a technical skill thing.
Confidence doesn’t come before the work. It comes from the evidence you gather along the way.

CONFIDENCE comes from EVIDENCE..
Make the correction → Stay consistent → Watch the results come → That’s where confidence lives.
Don’t panic if it doesn’t feel right straight away. The new feeling becomes familiar. The familiar becomes a habit. The habit delivers results.
And remember — there’s a reason you’re making the change in the first place.
Trust the process. Back your decisions. Give it time. 😎

2 lesson spots available Wednesday 20th ( due to a cancellation)- good lead up opportunity for the upcoming Abderry training day!

Auckland lessons next week.

1x space available Wed 20th- Abderry

Limited spaces available Thurs North/West (email [email protected])

I’ve lived a high-performance side of this sport.

The pressure. The preparation. The setbacks. The pursuit of excellence.

And while I’m proud of that chapter, what matters most now is how that experience helps shape the riders I work with today.

Because building your future is easier when you’ve got someone in your corner who’s been there.

Not just with theory. With real experience.

Now it’s about helping riders create their own version of success.

😎

Auckland lessons next week.

1x space available Wed 20th- Abderry

Limited spaces available Thurs North/West (email [email protected])

In Christchurch coaching next weekend-

Sat/Sun/Mon

Flatwork
Pole work
Jumping

Improve confidence
Improve rideability!

Get in touch or email [email protected] for details.

“Fix the balance.
And you’ll fix a lot of things.”

Balance is one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle — yet so many issues trace straight back to it.

Control problems.
Running through the hand.
Leaning.
Falling in or out.
Lack of rideability.
Inconsistent contact.
Difficulty turning.
Loss of power.

Often these are secondary symptoms of a horse that is struggling with balance.

The mechanics matter. A horse that is balanced can carry itself properly, stay straighter, use its body more effectively, and respond more clearly to the aids. And the rider’s balance plays a huge role in that too. One of the best things you can do for your horse is learn to become a lighter, more balanced rider yourself.

When you start looking into it- Balance, straightness, contact and power are all interconnected.

When you start looking at problems through the lens of balance instead of just trying to “fix” the symptom, everything starts to make more sense.

Fix the balance first.
And you’ll often find you fix a lot of other things along the way.

Another from the bathroom wall…

Own it.
Learn from it.
Then don’t dwell on it…

We all make mistakes. It’s what you do after that matters.

This quote is framed, on the wall in my barn bathroom.

There are only two options:
Make progress or make excuses.

Riders who want to get better—but avoid the uncomfortable parts.

My job as a coach isn’t always to make you feel comfortable.
It’s to make you better.

And the riders who improve the fastest?

They choose progress—over and over again.

Progress isn’t luck.
It’s clarity, consistency, and doing the work.

Work with me!

There are a number of ways to work with me, depending on the level of support you’re looking for — from establishing correct fundamentals and confidence starting out, right
through to high performance competition level.

Ways to work with me:
• Private coaching & regular lessons

• Elevate Performance Coaching — for riders wanting a higher level of guidance, structure, and ongoing support

• Performance Strategy Sessions & general consults —
off-the-horse sessions (Zoom or in-person) to work through specific issues, develop a clear plan, and map your next steps

• Clinics & group training days

• Limited Agistment available.

• Online coaching (video review + feedback) is coming soon — a simple, effective way to stay on track between sessions.

My focus is simple: clarity in your training, consistency in your system, and results over time.

If you’re ready to take a more structured approach and get the right support around you, get in touch to find the best fit.